Neighborhood evacuated; possible pipe bomb in house (video)

Residents were evacuated from the 500 block of Neal Drive after deputies found a pipe bomb in a home Wednesday afternoon.

The Corpus Christi Police Department bomb squad removed the device with robots and placed it in a containment vessel by about 9:30 p.m.

The bomb, about 8-10 inches long, was then transported to Corpus Christi to be either dismantled or detonated in a controlled range, said Victoria County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Terry Simons.

Deputies found the bomb during an unrelated ongoing investigation, Simons said.

The residents and owners of the home, at the cross street of Reaser Drive off of U.S. Highway 59, gave deputies permission to search the home concerning the investigation.

Deputies found the device, which they were not originally looking for, at about 4:30 p.m., said Sheriff T. Michael O'Connor.

A resident of the home, who did not want to be identified, said her daughter unknowingly brought the pipe bomb home in her boyfriend's backpack.

"I don't think my daughter would bring a bomb home on purpose," she said.

No one was arrested on charges concerning the bomb Wednesday night, Simons said, but two people were arrested regarding the original investigation, which Simons would not give details.

Upon discovery of the bomb, O'Connor said deputies evacuated the home and called in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

"They came immediately to the location, went in and looked at the device, because that is their expertise, and determined it could be, and not to take chances," O'Connor said.

He said ATF agents made the call to bring in the Corpus Christi Police Department bomb squad.

The bomb squad, which arrived shortly after 8 p.m., used robots to enter the home and examine the device. Operating remotely, the team can video, photograph and handle the device using the robots, Simons said.

Neighbors, standing behind the safety zone barricaded off by the sheriff's deputies, were concerned for the safety of their families.

"We have children that play on this street," said Nathan Lill, a neighbor. "I'm in shock. It is surprising they found a bomb out here, especially knowing we have a drug problem in the area."

Residents were allowed to go back to their homes by about 10:30 p.m.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be pending, Simons said.